Microencapsulation of bayberry polyphenols by ethyl cellulose: Preparation and characterization

The polyphenolic extracts from bayberry were micro-encapsulated by a phase separation method using ethyl cellulose as a coating material. The microcapsules obtained were further characterized on polyphenols content, antioxidant capacity, particle size distribution, microstructures, in vitro study and storage stability. Results of antioxidant capacity assays showed that the antioxidant activity of bayberry polyphenols could be effectively protected by microencapsulation. The microcapsules were found to have a smooth surface shape with a particle size distribution of 10-97 μm by light microscope and SEM observation. Release rate of bayberry polyphenol from microcapsules was within the range of 2.56-15.14% under simulated gastric fluid with pH of 2-6. Comparatively, release rate of bayberry polyphenols increased significantly (up to 87.37%) under simulated intestinal fluid 24 with pH of 8. The storage stability of bayberry polyphenols against adverse environment was also remarkably improved by microencapsulation. This study would contribute to the guide of application of bayberry polyphenols on food processing.     

Establishment of the volatile profile of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ apple variety and identification of varietal markers

The volatile composition of ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ (BE) apple was achieved by headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–qMS) analysis using fruits from two different rootstocks (PAJAM2 and MM106), different trees of each rootstock, and different sections of each tree (north and south). Fruits were harvested in the maturity state defined for this variety and then stored for four months at 4 °C. During this period, analyses were made monthly. α-Farnesene was the compound found in the volatile profile of BE apple with the largest GC area. A large number of esters were also detected. Rootstocks, trees, and tree sections did not have statistical significance on the volatile composition of BE apples. However, the volatile composition changed throughout the storage period. The principal component analysis (PCA) allowed distinguishing between the apples obtained immediately after harvest and those stored for 4 months. In the first case, the volatile composition was related to the occurrence of aldehydes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and phenols and, in the second case, to esters and terpenoids. Ocymene, cymene, α-bergamotene, geranyl acetone, nerolidol, and ethyl 3-(methylthio)-propionate were identified for the first time in apples. This peculiar profile allows to propose them as varietal markers of BE apple variety. However, as this methodology has only been applied to BE apple, the occurrence of these compounds in other cultivars can not be excluded.     

Application of laminated and metalized films to prolong the shelf life of dried barberries

Barberry is a nutritional and therapeutic crop mostly dried and consumed in bulk. However, the lack of proper packaging leads to the decline of many of its valuable properties. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different packaging films on barberries properties during storage. 150 g of freshly dried barberries were kept for 6 months at 25 °C within different packaging materials: (i) low-density polyethylene (LDPE); two laminated layers film including LDPE and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with a total thickness of (ii) 45 μm (LDPE/PET-45) and (iii) 60 μm (LDPE/PET-60); (iv) oriented polypropylene (OPP); (v) three laminated layers film of OPP (3OPP); (vi) three laminated layers film including LDPE, metalized PET and PET (LDPE/mPET/PET); and (vii) four laminated layers film including LDPE, PET, aluminum foil and PET (LDPE/PET/Al/PET). After six months, the least change in moisture content, the lowest loss of DPPH scavenging capacity (97.9%), the minimum overall color difference, and the least increase in acidity (39.3%) were related to barberries packaged in the LDPE/PET-45 film. This is while the lowest loss of ascorbic acid (99.8%) and anthocyanin (62.8%) contents and the minimum microbial deterioration were related to the LDPE/PET-60 film. On the other hand, the LDPE/PET/Al/PET film entailed the lowest barberry weight loss (0.67%) and the minimum increase in firmness (40.7%), while the 3OPP film providing the best preservation of phenolic compounds. In conclusion, it seems two laminated layers films composed of LDPE and PET are appropriate for the preservation of dried barberries during storage.     

Water Adsorption Isotherms and Storage Stability of Freeze-Dried Bovine Colostrum Powder

Moisture adsorption isotherms of freeze‐dried bovine colostrum powder were obtained using the gravimetric method at three temperatures (15, 25, and 35°C) in the water activity range of 0.11–0.86. The moisture adsorption isotherms of freeze‐dried bovine colostrum powder showed a sigmoid isotherm curve typical of the type II BET classification shape. The Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller models were recommended to fit experimental data well. The shelf life of freeze‐dried bovine colostrum powder packaged in aluminium-laminated polyethylene pouches was evaluated for 243 days, and the storage stability was investigated when stored at 25°C and 50% relative humidity. A slight increase in moisture content, a linear increase in color difference, and a slight decrease in IgG concentration were found within 60 days storage under the above-mentioned conditions.     

Biochemical changes in groundnut pods due to infestation of bruchid Caryedon serratus (Olivier) under stored conditions

A study on the “Biochemical changes in groundnut pods due to infestation of bruchid, Caryedon serratus (Olivier) under stored conditions” was conducted at Department of Entomology, College of Agriculture, SVPUA&T, Meerut during August 2018 to February 2019. Results of the study showed that there was significant increase in weight loss of the groundnut pods (test varieties) with the increase in storage period i.e. 30, 90, and 150 DAS (days after storage). This significant increase in weight loss was due to infestation of groundnut bruchid. In addition to the weight loss, distinct differences in the biochemical components such as sugars, proteins, tannins, phenols were found in between infested and uninfested groundnut pods. A significant reduction in sugars, tannins, phenol whereas increase in protein content was noticed with the increase in the storage period i.e. 30, 90 and 150 DAS. Correlation studies relating weight loss and biochemical components from different groundnut varieties (resistant and susceptible) due to bruchid infestation were also worked out in the study. Pod sugar and pod protein content showed significant positive correlation with weight loss (positive effect on the development of the bruchid). While, pod tannins and pod phenols content showed significant negative correlation with weight loss (exerted a negative effect on the development of the bruchid).     

Biological control of bruchids infesting cowpea by the introduction of Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) adults into farmers’ stores in West Africa

Biological control of bruchids infesting cowpea stores was achieved by introducing adults of an endemic parasitoid Dinarmus basalis (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) into farmers’ storage systems in the guinean zone in Togo and the sudano-sahelian zone in Burkina Faso. In the guinean zone, introduction of 20 or 40 pairs of D. basalis adults at the beginning of storage and again 15 days later reduced the development of the bruchid populations after 5 months of storage. Consequently, weight losses from 25 kg batches of treated cowpea seeds were lower than 10% as compared with around 30% in controls. In the sudano-sahelian zone, an introduction of 40 pairs of D. basalis adults at the beginning of storage and again 15 days later was effective, also maintaining seed weight losses from 25 kg batches at less than 10%. These results illustrate that biological control of bruchids by the introduction of D. basalis adults into farmers’ cowpea storage systems is possible in the two climatic zones of Western Africa, and produces better cowpea seed quality. However, the introduction must take place right at the beginning of storage, and the number to be introduced must take into account the initial rate of seed infestation by the bruchids.     

不同地区不同储存条件对储粮“热皮”厚度的研究

粮食在储存过程中,粮温随仓温、气温变化。春夏演替过程中,粮温表现为"热皮""冷芯",粮堆产生温度梯度。实际工作中,粮情测温电缆行列间距通常在4～5 m,边缘测温点距粮面、仓底和仓壁0.3～0.5 m,无法准确反映"热皮"处粮情状况。本实验旨在研究"热皮"厚度范围,为制定粮仓保温措施提供参考。     

Effects of homogenisation pressures on physicochemical changes in different layers of ultra‐high temperature whole milk during storage

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of homogenisation pressures (10, 20, and 30 MPa) on the physicochemical changes in top, middle and bottom layers of ultra‐high temperature whole milk stored at 25 °C for 6 months. Fat separation, fat globule sizes, fat and protein contents, viscosity, free amino acids content and pH were analysed at an interval of 15 days. Results showed that higher homogenisation pressure retarded the differentiations of milk fat globule sizes, fat and protein contents and viscosity in different milk layers, but did not affect the final fat separation, proteolysis and pH.     

Lipids from cephalothorax and hepatopancreas of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei): Compositions and deterioration as affected by iced storage

Lipids from cephalothorax and hepatopancreas of Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) stored in ice for up to 6 days were extracted and characterised. The extraction yields of lipids from hepatopancreas (10.65–12.64%) were higher than those from cephalothorax (2.59–2.88%). However, no changes in the extraction yield were observed during the storage (p > 0.05). The carotenoid contents of lipids from cephalothorax and hepatopancreas slightly increased within the first 2 and 4 days of iced storage (p < 0.05), respectively, but decreased thereafter (p < 0.05). With increasing storage time, a progressive formation of hydroperoxide was found as evidenced by the increase in the absorbance band at 3600–3200 cm⁻¹ in Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and increased peroxide values (PVs) (p < 0.05). The increases in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), p-anisidine value (AnV) and free fatty acid (FFA) content of lipids were noticeable when iced storage time increased (p < 0.05). Those changes indicated that lipid oxidation and hydrolysis occurred in both samples. Phospholipids (PL) were the major components in lipids from cephalothorax (82.51% of total lipids). Nevertheless, lipids from hepatopancreas contained triglyceride (TG) and PL as the dominant components (45.35% and 38.03% of total lipids, respectively). A decrease in the TG content with a concomitant increase in free fatty acid was observed at the end of storage (day 6) (p < 0.05). Decreases in unsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5(n-3)) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6(n-3)) were noticeable at day 6 of storage (p < 0.05). Thus, the extended storage time resulted in the enhanced deterioration of extracted lipids.     

Optimisation of probiotic yoghurt production enriched with phytosterols

To optimise the formulation of phytosterol‐enriched probiotic yoghurt, the effect of different concentrations of phytosterols, fat and the probiotic inoculation rate on the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus LA‐5, Bifidobacterium lactis BB‐12 and physicochemical indices over 14 days of storage was explored. Data analysis showed that the phytosterol concentration and fat content were two crucial factors affecting probiotic viability. Addition of phytosterols had no adverse effect on the overall scores for sensory attributes. Regarding maximisation of viability and storage time, the optimum conditions were found to be fat = 8.07% (w/v), phytosterol = 18 g/L, probiotic inoculation rate = 71.42 mg/L and storage time = 12 days.